North Carolina Free Tuition Plan

With NC Free, we seek to serve our community by making a Warren Wilson education possible for more North Carolina students.

Starting with students entering college in fall 2027, every new NC undergraduate student with household income under $80,000 can attend Warren Wilson tuition-free.

NC residents with an adjusted gross income (AGI) below $80,000 from the 2025 tax year will have their tuition covered through a combination of federal, state and institutional gift aid as well as our unique work-grant. Warren Wilson College will not use student loans in covering the cost of tuition, and any loan aid can be applied toward the cost of food and housing. Eligibility for NC-Free is determined during the awarding of financial aid and does not require a seperate application.

Eligibility

To be eligible, students must:

  • Be admitted to Warren Wilson College for the first-time, as a full-time undergraduate;
  • File a current FAFSA and send to Warren Wilson College (school code: 002979);
  • Confirm North Carolina residency through the North Carolina Residency Determination Service;
  • Be determined to have a family AGI under $80,000 based on their FAFSA (2025 tax year). The NC Tuition Free Plan covers the cost of your tuition after federal and/or state aid is applied;
  • Live on campus and participate fully in the WWC work program;
  • Be enrolled full time;
  • Maintain consecutive enrollment.

The NC Free Tuition Plan is guaranteed for up to 4 years. If you do not complete your degree in four years, you may appeal to extend your NC Free Tuition eligibility.

Renewal Requirements

  • File a renewal FAFSA each year before March 1st;
  • Complete verification process (if selected) each year before March 1st;
  • Remain a NC resident according to NC RDS (North Carolina Residency Determination Service);
  • Remain below the $80,000 annual AGI (based on FAFSA information provided annually). Families who exceed the $80,000 eligibility threshold will remain eligible for other forms of institutional gift aid in addition to state, federal and private awards;
  • Make Satisfactory Academic Progress;
  • Be a residential (on-campus) student;
  • Be enrolled full time;
  • Maintain consecutive enrollment.

If students choose to study away while a student at Warren Wilson, their NC free tuition plan is subject to the same conditions as other institutional aid depending on the study away program.

If a student no longer meets the criteria for this plan, eligibility will be evaluated based on the current renewal policy for returning students for that particular year.

Frequently Asked Questions

How will this impact current students / students entering before Fall 2027?

Current students who have qualified for NC Free will continue to qualify based on the previous guidelines. Students entering before the Fall 2027 cohort will also qualify and remain eligible under the previous guidelines.

For more information, reach out to the financial aid office at finaid@warren-wilson.edu.